Carlos Sainz Jnr was quickest in final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, but several of his rivals face investigations after the session.
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris are being investigated for a collision in which the Ferrari driver appeared to swerve towards the McLaren at turn six after being held up by his rival, causing contact between them.
Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll are also being investigated for a similar but separate incident in which the Aston Martin driver made contact with the Mercedes at turn five.
Conditions were near-identical to those that teams had enjoyed for the opening two practice sessions on Friday, with track temperatures in the mid 40s for the final hour of running before what is expected to be a very competitive qualifying session.
Despite teams having only an hour to prepare their cars and set-ups, there was no rush out onto the track when the session began. Only Hamilton ventured out at first before he was joined by Max Verstappen.
Eventually, the rest of the field trickled out onto the circuit, including the McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri following the fire which occured in the McLaren hospitality suite before the session. George Russell was the early pace setter for Mercedes ahead of Lando Norris with the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz Jnr and Charles Leclerc within two tenths behind.
In the later low-fuel runs, Sainz posted the best lap of the session with a 1’13.013, which was a few hundredths of a second quicker than Norris by the time the chequered flag came out. Leclerc was third-fastest, also under half a tenth behind his team mate.
However, the session was marred by two striking incidents that are being investigated by the stewards. Leclerc came across Norris on a push lap at the exit of turn five but appeared to be upset with the McLaren driver despite Norris being to the left hand side of the track, off the racing line. Leclerc moved towards the McLaren to show his displeasure and the two made contract, with Norris reporting possible damage to his car.
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Earlier, Hamilton had also been involved in a similar incident at turn five when he appeared to be unaware that Stroll was approaching on a push lap in his Aston Martin. Stroll abandoned his lap and, in frustration, crowded the Mercedes at the exit of the corner, with the two also appearing to make contact. Both incidents are being investigated by the stewards.
Verstappen was…
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